Mercedes' Nico Rosberg was unable to explain why he has been second-best in his individual battle with team-mate Lewis Hamilton when it comes to qualifying this season.
The German's fastest lap was 0.575 seconds behind Hamilton, who comfortably claimed his ninth pole of the season as he continues to better Rosberg on a Saturday.
Rosberg has sat on pole just once in the 10 races so far, after having outqualified Hamilton for the first time in the reigning world champion's career last season - claiming 12 to the Briton's seven poles.
But Hamilton is now having his best season ever when it comes to qualifying, having secured pole twice more this season than any year before, with a further nine races still remaining.
Asked to expand on the situation, Rosberg said: "I think part of it is because I have been working on my racing and improving that.
"It's definitely been better, so I am pleased with that.
"That has slightly compromised qualifying, but most of it is not explainable for me.
"I do not understand why it is such a big difference to last year at the moment."
Rosberg baffled by lack of pace in qualifying
Rosberg had been complaining of issues with his car's balance throughout the weekend, but was still able to secure a position on the front grid.
Nevertheless, whilst he insisted that he had been pleased with how qualifying had gone, he remained confused when it came to the inconsistent pace from his W06.
The 30-year-old admitted that his pace "has been up and down all weekend" but could not explain the reason - saying that it had been "all over the place" in qualifying at the Hungaroring.
"I definitely wasn't happy with that and I don't understand it, so we need to look into it," he said.
"It was a bit inconsistent, it is difficult to explain. I don't know, but I was not happy with how qualifying went generally."
Rosberg trails Hamilton by 17 points in the current Drivers' Championship standings ahead of Sunday's 70-lap race in Hungary.